Amusement apparatus



Nov. 21, 1939. H. McMAHON' ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 193

INVENTORS I JOHN H.MMA

Ann-Hun w. FULLER 1939. J. H. MOMAHQON ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2'7. 195

Nov. 21, 1939. J. H. McMAHON ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 193 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 :EIEJE V X w, H g g 9 W 4 my 6 z 4 g a .v 9 a "w 2 f3 7 1 u w m z @fl 9 m e 0 9 w m2 9 W v m m. M R, 4 a 2% M L 3 9 4 E A a w 9 @i M w a T W E w T N @Q Q m p INVENTORS JOHN H. McMAHoN ARTHUR w .MILLEQ ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1939. w J. H. M vMAHON HAL 2,180,638

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 193' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS JOHN H-M MAHON ARTHUR w. lLLER B I I AT ORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1939 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS John H. McMahon and Arthur W. Miller,

. Berkeley, Calif.

Application October 27, 937, Serial-No. 171,236

' 11 Claims. (01. 88-24) This invention relates to automatic coin-operated devices used for public amusement.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which will simultaneously exhibit and reproduce a visual and a related audible program.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character described. which permits a selectionof any one of a plurality of programs.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple. and efllcient mechanism for effecting the selection of the various programs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the class referred to which is simplified to a point where the skill of service,

men attending it need not be of a high or specialized order. I

The invention possess other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will be specifically set forth in the detailed description of the invention hereunto annexed. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular species thereof shown and described, as various other embodiments thereof may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of our invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus. The plane of section in which the view is taken is indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus. The plane of section is indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the connection between the various electrical components of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional yiew of the 4 apparatus. The plane of section is indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of one of the selector relays.

Figure '7 is an end 'elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 6with the protecting cover for the switch removed.

Describing the invention in detail, the'apparatus comprises a cabinet 8 having side walls 9,

a top H, a bottom floor l2, and a front panel from the diaphragm. The usual sheet of fabric I8 is placed within the aperture I1 to prevent entry of dust particles-into the magnetic gap of the speaker. In an aperture is, in the panel portion I3, above the speaker aperture I1, is the 5 usual coin-operated program selector 2| having a coin chute 22, a plurality of push buttons '23 by means of which various programs may be selected,

' and card holders 24 which contain the title and other information relative to the programs which 10 will be seen and heard by depressing the pushbuttons. In the upper inclined portion i4'of the panel is a relatively large rectangular'opening 2G in which is mounted a motion picture screen, which may be made of the particular type of fabric generally used for exhibiting. daylight movies but which is preferably a sheet of frosted glass'2'l secured to the cabinet by a frame 28.

Mounted substantially centrally of the cabinet floor I2 is a pedestal having a centrally bored hub 20 29 supported on legs 3| which are secured, by screws 32 passing through a flange 33 forming an integral part of the legs, to the cabinet. Fixedly secured at one end in the bore of the hub 29, and extending upwardly axially of the latter, 25 is a tubular post 34 upon which is journaled the hub 36 of, a. turntable. A thrust bearing 31 is provided between the lower end of the hub 36 and the upper end of the hub 29 to assist free rotation of the former hub on the post 34. Spaced equi- 30 distantly around the periphery of a flange 38, formed at the upper end of the hub 36, and secured thereto by means of bolts 39, are a plurality of brackets 4| each having a downwardly and outwardly sloping upper surface 42 upon 35 which is mounted a motion picture projectoi'unit 43. As will be pointed out later, each projector unit is a duplicate of the others and includes the usual light source, projecting lens and film actuating mechanism, so that each unit may project 4. a diflerent film. The slope of the surfaces 42 is such that, as each projector unit is moved into the position .of the projector unit shown to the left of Figure 2, the ,light beam 44 therefrom will be directed on 45 to the surface of a mirror 46, supported by a frame 41 secured at its ends to the side walls .9 of the cabinet and extending across the back of the latter, which will reflect thebeam on to the rear surface of the screen 21 as indicated by the dotted lines 48. This construction, by folding the light beam, permits sumcient throw of the beam to produce.a picture of about 16 by 22 inches on the screen 21 with a depth of the cabinet of approximately 2 /2 feet. Each pro- 53 jector is equipped for continuous running of a fihn, having mounted thereon a so-called "repeater" mechanism 49 from which the endless film 5I feeds over a guide roller 52, over a feed.

sprocket 53, through the film gate 54 and past the intermittent claw mechanism 56, over a pair of lower feed sprockets 51 which advance the film past a photoelectric cell 58 and the exciter lamp 59 therefor which translate the sound track on the film into a train of electrical impulses, over guide rollers 6| and 62 and back into the repeater through an opening 63 in the cover thereof. The usual projection lamp 64 and driving motor 66, indicated in the wiring diagram of Figure 4. but not shown in the other figures, are provided in each of the projectors 43. Mounted on each projector, by means of a bracket 61, is a block 68 of insulating material having fixed thereto, as is best shown in Figure 3, a plurality of spring metal contact arms 99 whichextend toward the axis of the post 34 and rest against the periphery of a drum ll of insulating material which is fixedly attached to the upper end of fixed pedestal.

the post 34 by'means of a nut I72. Embedded in the periphery of the drum M are a plurality of metallic contact segments I3, one for each of the contact arms contained on each block 68. Four of these contact segments are connected by wires, not shown, running downwardly through the hollow post 34, with an amplifier I4 which provides audio-frequency energy to actuate the speaker I6, and the remaining two contact segments carry current to energize the lamp 64 and motor 66 of the projector.

Means is provided for rotating the turntable to position a selected one of the projectors 43 to cast its light beam onto the reflecting mirror 46. Secured to the lower end of the turntable hub 36 is a worm gear I6 meshing with a worm 11, best shown in Figure 5, which is fixed for rotation with a shaft I3 journaled in a bracket I9 mounted on ,a portion, preferably the legs 3|, of the The shaft I8 is connected, through a flexible coupling 3|, with the shaft of a motor 82 which is mounted on a bracket 93 secured by screws 84 to the cabinet floor I2. A bracket 86, secured to and extending from the motor bracket 83, supports a solenoid brake 81 which is secured to the motor shaft and whose function will be described presently. An arm 33. having at its distal end a cam 99,.is secured to and rotatable with the worm gear I6 so that.

the cam will move past the ends of armatures 9.I- of solenoid switchesv 92 mounted in spaced relation around the pedestal on a flange 93 formed integrally with the pedestal. One of the solenoid switches is shown in detail in Figures 6 and 'I and comprises an insulating sleeve 94in which the armature 9I is axially slidable, a pin 96 secured in the sleeve being provided and working in a keyway 91 in the armature to prevent rotation of the latter with respect to the sleeve. Wound on a portion of the sleeve 94 is an actuating coil 98 and around the coil is an ironshell 99 forming part of a term-magnetic circiiit which also consists of an iron plate IIII secured by screws I02 to a fiange I93 at one end of the shell 99 and a divided sleeve I94 which is formed as an integral part of the shell at the opposite end of the latter and is'positioned closely adjacent the armature 9| being insulated therefrom by the insu lating sleeve 94. One end'oi the armature is bored out to frictionally receive and retain an insulating bushing I06 which is centrally bored and into which is pressed the shank I] of a. switch I23. The disk I is a timing device which limits arms 69 and is engageable by another of the tact I29 of the timer and with a terminal of each blade I08. This switch blade, when the armsture is moved axially, is adapted to enter between and engage spaced contacts III9-which are mounted on an insulating disk III secured to the shell 99. A cover H2 is adapted to frictional]! telescope over the end of the shell 99 so as to protect the switch against dirt and damage. It will be seen that, when the coil 98 is energized, the armature 9| will move to the left, being impelled by the flux in the magnetic circuit, which will project the end of the armature into the path of movement of the cam 89 and simultanee. ousl; close the switch'comprising the contacts I99 and the blade I08. As the worm gear I6 rotates, the cam will contact the end of the armature causing the latter to move to the right to its normal position and opening the switch. What occurs when the switch is opened and closed will be described presently.

Referring to the wiring diagram of Figure 4, a pair of power leads H3 and H4 are provided, which are connected to a suitable source of alternating current, the former lead being connected to one end of the primary winding I I6 of a stepdown transformer III, continuing through branched leads H8 to one contact I99 of each of the solenoid switches 92, through a lead H9 to a brush contact bearing against a metallic disk III and through a lead I22 to one contact of a relay the operating time of each projector 43 being driven, through a suitable gear system 124, by a synchronous induction motor I26. A small segment I2'I of insulating material is provided in the periphery of the disk upon which normally rests a brush contact I28. The ratio ofthe gearing I24 is dependent on how much film iscontained in therepeater magazines 49. Since the feeding speed of 16 m./m. sound film is approximately feet per minute the disk would complete one revolution in a minute if the magazine contained 35 feet of film, one revolution in two minutes if the magazine contained 70 feet of film, and so forth. It is, of course, necessary that each magazine contain the same length of'film' in order that the timer will operate properly with each projector.

The power lead H4 is connected to the opposite end cf the primary winding of the transformer I", through a branch lead I29 to one terminal'of the motor 82, and to one end of the actuating coil I3I of the solenoid brake 31. A branch lead I32, also a continuation of the power lead H4, connects with one of the power input terminals of the amplifier Hand an extension lead I33 connects the latterterminal with one input terminal of the motor I26. Another extension lead I34 connects the lead I32 with one of the contact segments I3 which connects .with a contact arm 69 and a lead I36 connected to one contact of both the projection lamp 64 and the projector driving motor- 66. The other terminals of the lamp and motor are connected to a lead I31 which is attached to another of the contact contact segments I3, and a lead I38 connects the latter contact segment with th'e'jiother power input terminal of the amplifier. A continuation lead I39 of the lead I38 connects with the brush contv of the motor I 26 and the relay I23.

The coin-operated selector switch 2| is provided with a low voltage input lead I, which connects with one end of the secondary winding I42 of the transformer I I1, and with five leads a lead I49 connects the other end of the coil the motor I26 to run, the amplifier 14 to be ener- 1 I 43 which connect, respectively, with one end of each of the coils 98 of the selector relays 92. The other end of each coil is connected to a common lead I44 which runs to the other end of the *condary winding of the transformer Ill. The

pushbuttons 23 of the selector switch operate contacts which establish connection between the lead I and a selected one of the leads I43, depending upon which pushbutton is depressed, and a time delay device which is well known in-the art and in the nature of a dashpot maintains this connection during an interval of time sufficient to allow components of the apparatus to complete, their cycles of operation before the circuit is interrupted. A lead I46 connects the lead I with one terminal of a relay I4'l associated with and operable by the solenoid brake III, a lead I48 connects the other terminal of this relay with the actuating coil of the relay I 23, and

of the relay I23 with thelead I44. The relay I41 closes only whe the brake 61 of the motor 82 is released, the bra e being normally set -by the coil spring I5I when the motor is inactive.

In operation, assuming that the program represented by the uppermost pushbutton No.. 1 is selected, a coin is inserted in the slot 22 which unlocks the pushbuttons and allows the one selected to be depressed. This establishes contact described above, causes the armature 9| of the relay to be projected into the path of -movement of the cam 89 and bridges the contacts I09. As soon as the latter contacts close, circuit is established through the lead II 3, the continuation lead III, and the common lead I52, which connects with a contact of each relay 92, to the motor 32 and to the solenoid brake coil I3I connected in parallel with'the latter. The circuit continues through the lead I29 back to the other power lead II4. As soon as the motor is energized, the solenoid brake will be released and the relay I41 will close. The motor 82 will now continue to rotate until the cam 89 engages the protruding armature 9I whereupon the armature will be depressed and the contacts I09 simultaneously opened thereby breaking the motor circuit, de-energizing the coil of the solenoid brake and allowing the brake, under the influence of the spring I5I to stop the motor practically instantaneously. This will have brought the projector unit 43 containing the film desired to be seen into correct position before the reflecting mirror 46.

While this indexing of the projector unit was taking place, the closed contacts of the relay I41 permitted current to flow, from the secondary winding of the transformer, through the. lead I46, the aforementioned relay contacts, the lead I43, the coil of the relayI23, the lead I49, and the lead I44 back to the transformer, This caused the relay I23 to close which allowed current to flow from the power lead II3 through the leads II9,and I22, through the closed contacts of the relay I23, through the lead I39 to .the motor I26, to the contact brush I29 and tothe lead I38 connected to one of the contact segments I3. The other high voltage contact segment 13, the amplifier input terminal, and the other terminal of the motor I26 are permanently connected to the other power lead II4 as before described.- The established circuits have caused 1 available space.

glzed, which allows a short time interval before the selected projector unit is indexed into position for the cathodes of the amplifier tubes to be heated to emission temperature, and the high voltage contact segments I3 to be energized so that as soon as the projector is brought into position and the contact arms 69 thereof engage the v contact segments 13 the lamp 64 will be lighted and the motor 66 will be started. The indexing of the projector into position will also establish contact between the exciter lamp 59 and the leads I53 which may carry filtered direct current orof the film will be fed to the speaker "through the amplifier output leads I56. Leads I51, also from the amplifier, provide current for the field coil of the speaker,-

When the selected projector unit has been indexed into position and the motor. 82 stops, the relay I41 will open as will the relay I23. The

opening of the latter relay will not, however,

break the circuits to the projector and amplifier which it previously established for the reason that the motor I26, which was also energized when the relay I23 closed, in operating for a short interval of time rotated the. disk I2I so that the brush contact I28 moved off of the insulating segment I21 thereby bridging the relay contacts and maintaining the flow of current to the amplifier, the projector and the motor I26 after the contacts of the relay I23 opened. This maintenance of the circuits will continue ,during the time necessary for the disk I2-I to complete one revolution to bring the insulating segment I21 under the contact brush I28 whereupon the supply of current from the lead II9, which is part of the power lead I I3, will be interrupted causing the de-energization of the projector, amplifier and timing motor I26. This completes one cycle of operation of the apparatus and condi;

tions it for the selection of another program which latter may be accomplished by depositing a coin in the slot 22 and depressing one of the other pushbuttons 23; whereupon the entire cycle of operation described above will, be repeated.

The amusement apparatus of our invention just described is quite compact, as will be noted, thereby requiring but little floor space for its installation and rendering it desirable in small places of amusement where there is very little The apparatus is comparatively trouble-free being constructed sufiiciently rugged to withstand greater than ordinary rough usage. In addition to these desirable features, .there are no complicated cam motions, as in other like devices, which are likely to slip and require the services of highly skilled and paid mechanics to correct. V

We claim: 1. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, a picture screen in said cabinet, a pedestal by said turntable to engage and actuate a selected one of said switches to fix a selected one of said picture projectors in said position below the picture screen to project light rays away from said screen, and means in said cabinet and disposed in the path of said projected light rays for intercepting said light rays and directing them toward said screen. 1

2. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, a picture screen in said cabinet, a pedestal mounted in said cabinet, said pedestal having a post rising therefrom and an annular flange surrounding said post, a turntable journaled on said post, a plurality of picture projectors carried by said turntable, a worm gear on said turntable, said worm gear having fixed thereto and extending therefrom an arm provided with a cam surface movable when said worm gear is rotated in an arcuate'path about the axis of said post, a worm journaled on said pedestal and meshing with said worm gear, a motor in said cabinet operatively connected to rotate said worm, worm gear and turntable to move successive picture projectors past a position below said picture screen, a plurality of electric switches mounted on said pedestal flange and connected to start and stop said motor, each of said switches comprising an operating element extendible into the path of movement of said cam surface when,

the switch is closed and retractible by engagement of the cam surface therewith,-during movement of the latter, to open said switch, said closing and opening of a selected switch respectively starting the rotation of the turntable and stopping said rotation at a predetermined point to fix a selected picture projector in said position below the picture screen to project light rays in a direction away from said screen, and an element having a light reflecting surface thereon mounted in said cabinet in the path of said projected light rays for directing said light rays toward said picture screen.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising-a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past said screen, a motor for imparting movement to said support, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operable by movement of said support for arresting movement of the motor in such manner as to place a pre-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with "respect to said screen.

4. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past said screen,

- a motor for imparting movement to said support,

a plurality of independently operable selector devices controlling said motor, there being one selective device for each projecting unit, and means for selectively operatingany pre-selected selector device to start the motor, each of said selector devices including independently operable motor disabling means operable by rotative movement of the support for temporarily disalflng the pre-selected selector device in a munet, a light reflecting medium within the cabinet,

a picture screen supported by the cabinet and so positioned as to intercept light reflected from the reflecting medium, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past said light reflecting medium, a motor for imparting movement to said support, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operated by movement of the support for arresting move-- ment of the motor in such manner as to place a pre-selected projectingunit inoperative projectingrelation with respect to said light reflecting medium.

6. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picturescreen,-a rotatable support, aplurality .of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past the screen, a motor for imparting movement to said support, a plurality of switches each having means for controlling the motor circuit and each'including an independent motor-disabling means, there being one switch for each picture projecting unit, selective means for energizing any pre-selected switch and simultaneously setting said motor disabling means, means carried by said rotatable support for engaging and operating the selected disabling means in such manner as to stop the motor with a pro-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

7. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support switch in such manneras to cause the disabling projection thereof to extend into the path of said cam, so as to operate said disabling projection to deenergize the motor when the picture projecting unit associated with the pre-selected solenoid switch is in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

8. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet having a picture screen, a pedestal within said cabinet having a fixed post rising therefrom, a turn table journaled on said post, a plurality 01- independently operable picture projecting units carried by said turn table in such manner as to be movable past said screen, a motor forimparting movement to said support, means for selectively operatingsaid motor, said means includ ing a plurality of selector devices'supported by said pedestal, there being one selector device for each projecting unit, each selector device having an independent selectively operable motor-disabling member, and means movable with said turn table for actuating .the motor disabling member of anypre-selected. selector device in such manner as to deenergizes the motor and 2,1ao,oss

place a pre-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

9. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to movable past said screen, a motor for imparting movement to said support, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operable by movement 01' said support for arresting movement of the motor in such manner as to place a preselected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen, and means controlled by said support and operable by movement thereof for operating the pre-selected projecting unit for a limited time after its position with respect to said screen. r

10. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable. past said screen, a motor for imparting movement to said support, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operable by movement of said support for arresting movement of the motor in such manner as to place a pre-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen, a selector switch including a plurality of fixed members each controlling the operation of a picture projecting unit and a complemental movable switch member secured to and rotative with said support, laid selector switch having means for selectively operating a pre-selected projecting unit for a limited time while said unit remains in its preselected position.

11. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed support within the cabinet, a turn table rotatably mounted upon said support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said turn table in such manner as to be movable past said screen, each unit including an operating motor, a motor for imparting movement to said turn table, a plurality of turn tablemotor controlling switches mounted on said support, there being one switch for each projecting unit, a cam rotatable with said tum table, selective means for closing the circuit to the respective motor controlling switches through any pre-selected switch, each of the last mentioned switches including means for projecting a motordisabling extension into the path of said cam when said circuit is closed, said extension having means to break the circuit to the motor when engaged by said cam, so that a pre-selcted projecting unit is positioned in operative relation to said screen, a. second selective switch for controlling the circuits to the projecting unit motors, said last mentioned switch including a movable member which is rotatable with said turn table and individual fixed contact members, one for each projecting unit motor, said fixed contacts being so relatively positioned that as a pre-selected turn table motor switch is disabled, a circuit is simultaneously closed to the motor of the pre-selected projecting unit, and means for breaking the last mentioned circuit after a limited time.

JOHN H. McMAHON.

ARTHUR W. MILIER. 

